The Society of Pelvic Surgeons

Wassail Ceremony

Wassail Ceremony. The traditional Wassail Banquet is a formal dinner held on the Friday evening at he end of the annual meeting. Hosted by the President the Wassail toast is introduced by one of the Society's members. This ceremony of the Loving Cup is historical dating back to Anglo-Saxon times and the assassination of King Edward by command of Elfrida, the Kings wife. The King was stabbed in the back whilst drinking a toast from a large goblet which he held in both hands. To prevent this happening again during the toast, the back of the drinker is guarded by his neigbour on his right.

This ritual is continued today with livery companies in London.

The Wassail goblet used by the Society was presented to the Society of Pelvic Surgeons by the President in 1960, Dr Waring G Cosbie to be used at each dinner thereafter.